THANKING GOD for SPRING
(preparation: spring flowers, candle & Bible)
The heavens declare the glory of God
and all creation is shouting for joy.
Leader: We pause and look at the new life around us this spring and we are reminded of
the presence in our midst of God our Creator. Blessed are You, O God for You
have given us this earth and its beauty. Glory to You, Source of All Being,
Eternal Word and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Song: Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee
Reader: A reading from the holy gospel according to Luke (12: 22-28)
I tell you, do not worry about your life and what you will eat,
or about your body and what you will wear.
For life is more than food and the body more than clothing.
Notice the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have neither storehouse nor
barn, yet God feeds them. How much more important are you than birds!
Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your lifespan?
If even the smallest things are beyond your control,
why are you anxious about the rest?
Notice how the flowers grow. They do not toil or spin.
But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of
them. If God so clothes the grass in the field that grows today and is thrown
into the oven tomorrow, will He not much more provide for you, O you of little
faith?
Brief moment of silent reflection
All: "Arise, make haste, my love, my dove, my beautiful one, and come. For the
winter is now past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers have appeared in our
land." (Song of Songs 2:10-12)
Leader:
PRAYERS of INTERCESSION
RESPONSE: Lord of Life, hear us and bless us.
That we will appreciate and enjoy the beauty of each season, we pray:
That we will continue to be people of hope, we pray:
That farmers will be blessed with a good planting and growing season, we pray:
That we will have a great respect for all of creation around us, we pray:
That this season of new life and birth will fill our hearts and souls with gladness, we pray:
That the Resurrection event will remind us that sin, death, gloom and despair
are conquered and that Christ is our Eternal Spring, we pray:
Leader: Let us pray, as the earth once again turns to face the sun we rejoice in this season of
spring. We give thanks, O God, that each day grows longer in light and that the
earth has been liberated from the grip of winter.
We remember the resurrection of Your Son Jesus from the depths of death's
decay in the tomb, we lift our hearts to You in gratitude. We thank You for the
gift of a day and all the graces it holds.
We ask for the grace, O God, to live in a new way. Grant us fresh dreams and
new visions. May this day come upon us like Spring herself, so that our hearts
may be filled with hope.
May we thus taste more deeply the joys of simply being alive. May we find the
countless hidden treasures that You have scattered throughout this day and
season! May Your peace rest upon all the members of the earthen family with
whom You have made us one. Amen.
All:
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name.
Every blessing You pour out we turn back to praise of You, O God
When the sun’s shining down on us
When the world’s ‘all as it should be’
Blessed be Your name.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Blessed be Your name.
You give and take away
Our hearts will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be your name.
Leader:
In the name of + the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
HYMN JOYFUL, JOYFUL WE ADORE THEE
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!
All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.
Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us, brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward in the triumph song of life.